Windy City 18s: American Division Hoosiers To Watch

Kyp Harasymowycz January 10, 2023 @ 10:30 AM

Qualifier season is here! Over the next couple of days, we will be looking at teams from Indiana that will be attending the 18s qualifier in Schaumburg, Illinois (Chicago suburb) to go get that bid to 18s nationals in Columbus, Ohio in April. Two teams from northern Indiana dot this team list, with players and some commitments sprinkled in there. We'll also add what court and what time on Saturday that team starts.   <h2>Ignite 18 Elite, Court 18 at 0800 on Saturday</h2>   Although this roster has a few commitments already locked up for the coming fall, there are a couple of kids worth mentioning that are available. [player_tooltip player_id='289620' first='Abigail' last='Opilka'] ('23, 5-7 S, Hanover Central) will run the show for this team as its 5-1 setter. She's fully capable of running a 5-1 or a 6-2 at any level, and should find a home sooner rather than later. I also like three-sport stud [player_tooltip player_id='289615' first='Alexa' last='Iwema'] ('26, 5-10 OH, Lake Central), a strong and physical outside that dominates in softball as well. Two committed seniors on this roster, [player_tooltip player_id='289610' first='Lexi' last='Cripe'] ('23, 5-9 OH, Kentucky Wesleyan commit) and [player_tooltip player_id='289626' first='Brianne' last='Salinas'] ('23, 6-0 MB, Malone commit) are two solid Division II attackers that will have to carry the majority of the offense on day one to stay in the upper half of the draw for Sunday.   <h2>NIVA 18 Purple, Court 13 at 1600 on Saturday</h2>   Another team looking to make waves in the American division this weekend has a ton of available talent, but only one kid committed. [player_tooltip player_id='133460' first='Emma' last='Fleck'] ('23, 5-7 S, College of Wooster commit) is the definite 5-1 setter to make this squad go, with a ton of big and physical talent around her. [player_tooltip player_id='289631' first='Hannah' last='Teich'] ('23, 6-1 MB, Elkhart) is a future M2 who excels at two-footed attacks and can take up space on the block. [player_tooltip player_id='190166' first='Kate' last='Trueblood'] ('23, 6-0 MB, Penn) is an M1 through-and-through, and can terminate either behind or in front of the setter with ease. [player_tooltip player_id='289632' first='Emily' last='Adams'] ('23, 5-10 OH/MB/RS, Mishawaka) is a springy athlete that has played all three front row positions, can attack from all three, and should give fits to defenders because of her abilities to do so.

Qualifier season is here! Over the next couple of days, we will be looking at teams from Indiana that will be attending the 18s qualifier in Schaumburg, Illinois (Chicago suburb) to go get that bid to 18s nationals in Columbus, Ohio in April. Two teams from northern Indiana dot this team list, with players and some commitments sprinkled in there. We'll also add what court and what time on Saturday that team starts.